FlyingJ

I feel that kids at some point should be able to make a choice. I think they need to be able to make an educated choice though, which is tough to do with no personal exposure. I don't believe there is a clear cut path for every kid though, it's going to depend on maturity, etc. My parents grew up in different churches and didn't like attending any but their own. As kids we spent time in both and as I (the oldest) started asking questions and sharing opinions they felt I was at a point I could make the decision for myself whether or not to participate and I distanced myself from any religion. My brother (2 years younger) reached the same point and his decision was to make religion a much more significant part of his life. Now as an adult religion has become a HUGE part of his life. My younger two siblings didn't have quite the same opportunity as we as a family were no longer going to church regularly. They were pretty much handed the position of religion being a very informal part of their life and in time they too made their own decisions. I felt bad they didn't get the same opportunity for a well rounded foundation before making a choice, though as they have gotten older (both mid-20s now) they have fallen into varying levels of interest in religion. I am not a parent, but I'd like to think that most parents would like to see their kids grow up as free thinkers who make decisions based on past experience and future expectations. Parents should feel responsible for helping their kids to get the foundation they need to be able to make decisions for themselves when the time is appropriate. Killing threads since 2004.

Just checked out the prices for everywhere I've lived in the last 10 years or so. Seems we're not doing bad at all down in South Texas compared to some other places. Doesn't make it suck any less to know other people are paying more, but it certainly could be worse. I'm a minimum of 15 cents and more often 20 cents cheaper now than the other places I've lived. Killing threads since 2004.

We have 8 seasonal employees that work on my crew at varying times of year, usually from outside of Texas. In my experience with them they've been turned down with an out of state license at least 75% of the time. Killing threads since 2004.

hehe...that was definitely not on the agenda! Killing threads since 2004.

In the last year I've seen a girl around town that I know I have met before but to save my life I had no idea why I knew her. I only moved here in the last year so I don't have a big history of folks from my past, etc. Unfortunately the three or four times I saw her I was unable to say something (once was passing in different directions on the road, another was as I got to the front of a very long beer line at a festival and wasn't willing to lose my place, etc.). Yesterday I went to a friend's wedding and she was there! Finally talked and realized I had met her at the same friends house just a day or two after I moved to town. Such a relief! Killing threads since 2004.

He thought about it quite a bit. A friend who was in the background of his first political campaign and transition committee said he wanted to run for president more than anything, but wasn't willing to do it if it meant being more of a spoiler than a viable 3rd party candidate. He's not all that concerned with party lines. Was originally a democrat, decided he wanted to run for mayor of NYC but there was already a democrat in the race so he switched parties. He funded his own election campaign, got elected without being tied down with a bunch of baggage and took over the city like a business. He made a bunch of very unpopular decisions (raised taxes on cigarettes, raised traffic fines, etc.) but the stuff he did worked and it got him reelected. He also led by example. He continued to live in his own home and rides the subway to work. One of the neatest things I saw was that he took city hall and turned it upside down. Offices were a thing of the past and everyone now works in a large open bullpen, including him. he does have an office for necessary private stuff, but he's just one of the staff and shows that he expects as much out of himself as he does of his staff. Good work is awarded and slackers are sent walking in an atmosphere where party affiliation meant far less then one's ability to do the job at hand objectively. I would love to see what he would do on a national stage. Killing threads since 2004.

In the 4 years I've been wearing a beard I have not ever run into a situation where it seemed inappropriate, however I went from working in a white collar arena where appearance was everything to a blue collar arena where I spend more time out in the wilderness than around people. Oddly enough, I was at a friends wedding today and have been in two weddings in the last couple years. I doubt I would pitch a fit if I had friends that asked me to shave for some kind of occasion, however if they were to do so I would question the level of our friendship and whether someone that worried about some facial hair was someone I cared to be around That said, I wanted to smack the crap out of my brother a couple years back when he refused my mom's request to "tidy up" his beard that had grown untrimmed for 5 years for a family photo. She didn't want it shaved, just wanted to even it out a bit so he (according to her) looked a little less homeless. Killing threads since 2004.

I have limited interest in discussing politics and think this might be my first ever speaker's corner post, but... Under different conditions I would love to have seen Bloomberg involved. His level of experience obviously lacks some pretty important international experience but when it comes down to it he is an incredibly intelligent man who knows enough to surround himself with the right people and listen to them. His business approach to running NYC was a breath of fresh air. I haven't kept close tabs since I left NYC, but when first elected it was all on his own dime and he did so without ending up with tons of political baggage. Don't know if that could still be said. Killing threads since 2004.

Is this based on fire regulations? As a music major in college I turned my storage room in the basement into a practice room by hanging foam egg crate on the walls and ceiling with heavy blankets on top of them. It worked amazingly well, but had no idea it was in fact breaking some laws. Killing threads since 2004.

I'm just up the road in Victoria. Unfortunately money has kept me from continuing to jump for a while now but if you are up for a drink or bite in town let me know. jason. Killing threads since 2004.

I think a lot of it is dependent on the condition of the beard and the type of surroundings. I see no reason that well kept and "presentable" facial hair should be a problem in any setting that it doesn't pose some kind of safety concern. In a former professional job I held it would have been fine for me to have facial hair, however it was not fine for me to go through the period of "scruffiness" while the unshaven look turned into a beard unless I did so away from work. Of course there would be a million different opinions on what "presentable" is and I think lots of places decide the much easier rule to enforce is no facial hair vs. trying to decide what is appropriate. I choose to keep a beard for two reasons. I'd like to think the main reason is because I get such horrible razor burn that it looks like I tried hanging myself, but I think the bigger reason is that I'm inherently lazy in the morning and not having to take a few minutes to shave is well worth the time spent maintaining a presentable beard. Killing threads since 2004.

I've known several people that have done alright working full time and going to school online. I've also known people that plopped down a bunch of money that was completely wasted because they didn't have the self motivation to actually make it happen. I tried taking an online class while I was in college to help get credits taken care of faster. I did open the box the materials came in, but that was about it. Just didn't have the motivation to make it happen. Without reading up on the specific school it is impossible to give an opinion on the program, but I think your success or failure in online schooling has more to do with your ability to see it through than anything else. Killing threads since 2004.

Does make you feel a little better about Texas prices, doesn't it? Last time I drove Victoria to Austin and back I saw a range in prices of about 30 cents. Austin and Victoria were within 5 or 10 cents but places in the middle (mostly close to I-10) were upwards of 30 cents more. INSANE! Killing threads since 2004.

Maybe we should consult the Men of the Square Table... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQ6SdR5rPXM http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man_Laws - includes a roster of Square Table members. Noticeably absent...Chuck Norris. Killing threads since 2004.

I agree. I didn't mean for my comment to be an approval of litigation by loved ones, just that people need to think about who is going to be responsible for keeping your ass alive if you can't cover it yourself before you go and sign that waiver. What will it do to their lives in order to save yours and can you really expect them to do that without seeking other options to cover costs. If you can't, than maybe you don't need to be signing that waiver. Hope that clarifies my post a little more. So how do we stop the "survivors" from suing? If I die, in skydiving, then I know that my family is aware of my wishes. BUT, how am I supposed to stop them - do we need to retain a lawyer to sue them into not retaining a lawyer? It's obviously impossible. However, I think by doing what you can to make sure your ass is covered on your own (insurance, etc.) is about as much as you can do. My thoughts are based primarily on the person going out and jumping with no insurance, getting hurt and a family being left with footing all the bills. What choice do they have if they want their spouse, kid, etc. to live? I'm lucky to know that I have a family that would do anything to help me. Because of that I feel it is very important that I carry the insurance/major medical, etc. that should hopefully never make it necessary for them to get involved. I should mention that I'm really talking about direct medical bills, life saving kind of costs. I think a dude that decides to sue for his pain and suffering because he has to make his own sammichs while his wife is laid up from an injury should be kicked in the nuts. Killing threads since 2004.

I agree. I didn't mean for my comment to be an approval of litigation by loved ones, just that people need to think about who is going to be responsible for keeping your ass alive if you can't cover it yourself before you go and sign that waiver. What will it do to their lives in order to save yours and can you really expect them to do that without seeking other options to cover costs. If you can't, than maybe you don't need to be signing that waiver. Hope that clarifies my post a little more. Killing threads since 2004.

One other thought in regard to loved ones, etc. suing on your behalf...consider that a situation like that may not be just about you. You, the broke skydiver, might feel strongly about not suing anyone based on an injury, but how would you feel about your parents losing their house trying to pay all of your medical bills because you were broke and didn't want them to sue? I'm not suggesting that suing should ever be a first resort, and the thought of suing someone based on an injury in a dangerous sport that you knowingly stepped into makes me cringe, but keep in mind when you sign that waiver that a decision like that might not be just about you. It hit home for me a few years back when I wasn't able to keep making my health insurance payments. My dad stepped in with the comment that it was worth it to him to help me out for a few months until I could get back on my feet because he would lose his house if that's what it took to help me and making a few insurance payments for me would be a whole lot cheaper. Killing threads since 2004.

I've heard people say "but I'm just going after insurance money, not after XYZ friend/business, etc." and the article referenced in this case sounded kind of similar. I saw it happen in a non-skydiving related incident. The injured party did not directly sue the person/business but did go after the insurance claim, and a sizable one, but had no idea (either through ignorance or being mislead by a sketchy personal injury attorney) that the insurance company would then go after the very friend/business to recoup their losses that the injured party thought they were protecting by only going after insurance money. I don't blame anyone for checking into options when it comes to insurance. Maybe the answer is that you don't like the way it sounds and you drop it, but with the type of bills, etc. that can add up from a serious injury I think it is insane not to at least investigate, hopefully with good and honest help that won't try to take advantage of the situation. Killing threads since 2004.

They are the only bank and up until recently the only insurance company I've ever known. I was very upset recently when I bought a motorcycle because apparently they aren't in the business of taking any new motorcycle policies at the moment (at least not in Texas). So now I'm serviced by "Progressive, for USAA Members." I've never even investigated other companies for a price difference, but I would pay more to keep them. I went through the total loss of the camper I was living in following a hurricane and the process was amazing. And deposit at home! It took me a few months to find out you could scan your checks into your bank account, but holy crap that's convenient. Hope everyone's bank does it that way! Killing threads since 2004.

In the iTunes menu click on Preferences. Advanced Tab Click the Import option in the General/Importing/Burning bar. Next to Import Using: choose the format you'd like to use. Hope that helps! Killing threads since 2004.

Wow, this is the first time my current job has ever become even a little bit relevant on this site. The reason my job exists is for restoring habitat for the prairie chicken in south Texas. Sounds like a lose/lose for the chickens though as the eggs and young hatchlings are a favorite treat for regular fire ants too. Killing threads since 2004.

I feel for you. I've been dealing with allergies for as long as I can remember. Have you been through a thorough allergy test? I thought docs were crazy telling my sickness while living in NYC was allergies as I had allergies all my life and had never been sick with a cough year round. Finally went for an updated test and found out I was allergic to cockroaches (and all the assorted goodness, like shed exoskeletons, droppings, etc. that go with them) in addition to all of the pollens, dusts and furry creatures I've always had a known allergy to. Keep in mind that medicine takes some time to work. Any of the decongestants (Claritin-D, etc.) need some time to build up in your system and kick in. It's not a take it once and your problems are gone kind of drug. You might see a little something right away, but the main difference will be after you've been taking it on schedule for a few days at least. Benedryl will help to stop the reaction causing your allergies, but if it has already built up for a while your sinuses are probably past the point that Benydryl is going to do much. You might ask your doc about a corticosteroid, something like prednisone or a similar drug. They aren't to be considered lightly as they can have some pretty heavy side effects, but one of their many uses is kicking the crap out of your clogged sinuses, leaving you in a position to use lighter weight medication to help them from becoming clogged again. I visit my family once or twice a year and am around cats when I do, my worst offender when it comes to allergies. It's gotten to the point that I drive from Texas to Atlanta to visit because I couldn't stand the plane trip home with clogged sinuses. The last couple years I've been given a prescription for prednisone immediately after returning home to clear up the damage of 7 days in a home with a cat. I've tried every kind of OTC medication and almost all of the prescriptions. I've tried herbal stuff and stuff you squirt up and pour down your nose and so far the only thing I've found to work at clearing up severe congestion is the corticosteroid followed by some regular decongestants for a few days. I'm not a doc by any means so of course you would need to ask a doc about all of this, but I've been dealing with exactly what you describe for 31 years and this is what I've found to work for me. Killing threads since 2004.

Ralph's? Little Italian place. Used to grab lunch there when I worked down the street. Killing threads since 2004.

hehe...just hope the crew you are on is a bunch of older folks that don't feel they have something to prove any longer. I've made some awfully brisk hikes w/ loaded line gear carrying a big 'ol chain saw because a couple guys with huge egos were setting the pace and trying to out do each other. Killing threads since 2004.

Sweet. I just picked up the same bike (though 14 years older) as my first bike. Loving it so far, and for sure cheaper than my Jeep with a V8/5.2 in it. Still runs strong and was well kept in the past. Nice down here in South Texas, able to drive 5 minutes to the edge of town and have nothing but open road for a couple hours. Love bugs are just coming out though. Quite a drag. Killing threads since 2004.